Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Last updated
Mon 31st Aug 26 at
4:27PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A swathe of rain and gales sweeps across the Scottish Highlands, moving over the Southern Uplands with time; bright sun breaks and scattered showers follow from the northwest. Patchy rain for western hills of England and Wales, sunny breaks east. Blustery with rain increasing later in north England.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Rain sets in with gales for a few hours; easing afternoon
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 35 to 45mph, strengthening for several hours to a sustained 45-50mph, gusting up to 60mph. Will ease as afternoon goes, though unlikely dropping below 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking conditions, buffeting affecting balance on high exposed terrain, difficult for a time. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Often raining, breaking up through afternoon
Rain on and off from dawn, increasingly frequent and setting in for a few hours with heaviest falls southern Cairngorms towards Drumochter; remote risk a rumble of thunder. Breaking up through afternoon, to well-scattered showers later.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaking to tops through afternoon
Covering the mountains fairly widely above 800-1000m in the morning, lowest in west and towards Drumochter, forming more widely to at least middle slopes for several hours. Bases rising and breaks forming to upper slopes through afternoon, varied banks over tops gradually dissipating.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%, rising to 70% through afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull through morning, glimpses of sun break through afternoon, increasingly widespread later in the day. Poor visibility until afternoon, becoming very good as cloud and rain clear.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, rising slightly, locally to 10C eastern areas. Beginning to lower through afternoon into evening, finishing near 6 or 7C. Feeling sub-zero in the wind, to -8C in strongest speeds in exposure.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Last updated
Mon 31st Aug 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 10-20mph, will vary in speed and direction somewhat, and strengthening around or after nightfall.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Rising chance patchy rain
Spots of rain drift onto hills near Drumochter, most other hills dry, but a rising chance of patchy rain arriving from the west later, setting in with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high terrain with summit breaks for a time
Varied banks across many hills in the morning, lifting to mostly above 900m and increasingly breaking up, particularly north and west. Most cloud clings to high slopes south of high Cairngorms, and later filling in extensively.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 70% for a time (higher Monadhliath), later deteriorating
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, more extensive for a time, but then clouding over. Excellent visibility, perhaps to summits for a time, but deteriorating.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 9C, staying elevated into night and possibly rising slightly.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 3rd September 2026
Last updated
Mon 31st Aug 26 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly between 35 to 45mph, somewhat variable but sometimes stronger, to 50-55mph over highest tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous-to-arduous walking most of the day, challenging moments on highest tops with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional rain, more often dry
Some early drizzle on high terrain fades, then a little patchy rain drifting onto western hills from time to time, more often dry. A few afternoon hours will see more frequent rain, some heavier falls.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaking off the summits
Fairly extensive above 800m in the morning, varied lower banks mostly west. Soon rising, breaking up with time, most summits seeing extended clear windows, though cloud will lower onto the tops again for a few afternoon hours.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often sunny, some patchy cloud and likely cloudier for a few afternoon hours. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 or 9C, rising a degree easternmost hills. Feeling below freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Strong wind (often gale force on high mountains), patchy rain, and some broader swathes of rain and wind will affect the country from mid-week into the weekend; most notable areas of rain on Wednesday and late Thursday overnight into Friday. A few bright glimpses here and there, but many high summits stay shrouded, particularly western hill groups where cloud will often reach lower slopes. A brief bright window for some on Saturday, but staying windy with scattered showers in northwest areas, rain returning later and into Sunday. The next week remains generally unsettled, and may well bring a deep low pressure systems with widespread gales and swathes of heavy rain. Beyond next week, indications of a more settled regime for a time.